Leander Cox

Leander Martin Cox (May 7, 1812 – March 19, 1865) was an American politician and lawyer. A member of the Whig and Know Nothing parties, he served in the United States House of Representatives from 1853 to 1857, representing Kentucky's 9th district.

Biography Cox was born on May 7, 1812, in Cumberland County, Virginia. He received an education, afterwards reading then practicing law. He later moved to Flemingsburg, Kentucky. During the Mexican–American War, he served in the Third Kentucky Volunteers Regiment of the United States Army, and was its captain in 1847. He returned home from the war ill. He owned slaves.

Cox was a member of the Whig Party from before serving in the Mexican–American War. He later joined the Know Nothing party.

Cox was a Know Nothing member of the United States House of Representatives from March 4, 1853, to March 3, 1857, representing Kentucky's 9th district. He lost the following election. He was a supporter of John Bell. When asked about the forthcoming American Civil War, he opposed it, describing the secession as "tragic".

After serving in Congress, Cox returned to practicing law. He died on March 19, 1865, aged 52, in Flemingsburg, and was buried at Fleming County Cemetery, in Flemingsburg. An archive of his papers is held at the library of the Kentucky Historical Society.